SYDNEY — Australia fired national football coach Holger Osieck Saturday after a humbling 6-0 loss in a friendly against France, shaking its preparation for a World Cup only eight months away. Chief executive David Gallop delivered the decision of the Football Federation Australia board to Osieck in the locker rooms of the Parc des Princes in Paris, ending the German coach's three-year tenure, even though he had fulfilled his main mission to guide Australia's to the 2014 Cup in Brazil. Osieck's assistant Aurelio Vidmar was named caretaker coach for Australia's next match against Canada in London on Tuesday but it was unclear Saturday whether the FFA had a long-term successor in mind. FFA chairman Frank Lowy said the decision to sack Osieck had been made to ensure the “rejuvenation” of the Australian team, perhaps in reference to Osieck's loyalty to the “golden generation” of aging Australian players who reached the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals. Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who steered Australia into the last 16 at the 2006 Cup was a fan favorite to succeed Osieck. A-League coaches Graham Arnold — an assistant under three previous Australian coaches — Ange Postecoglou and Tony Popovic were also identified as possible local candidates. Arnold was the first to express interest. “I'm a proud Australian and, if I was offered the job, of course I'd love to coach the Socceroos,” he told Fairfax Media. Arnold said there was still time for Australia to fix its World Cup preparations after successive 6-0 losses to France and Brazil.— AP
